Matsui, Kanazaki decide J. League charity match

A group of stars representing the Tohoku region defeated a J. League select team 2-1 on Sunday behind goals from Daisuke Matsui and Mu Kanazaki in front of a crowd of 41,246 at National Stadium.

The game was held to benefit reconstruction in the Tohoku region, which continues to suffer two years after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima striker Hisato Sato, who currently is tied for the J1 lead with nine goals, opened the scoring for the J. League select squad in the 11th minute, but Matsui, who now plays for Bulgarian club Slavia Sofia, equalized for J. League Team as One in the 41st minute.

Kanazaki, of German side FC Nuremburg, scored the winner in the 70th minute.